is building up the afghan army and police with the aim that foreign combat troops can withdraw from afghanistan completely by the end of 2014. vic? >> kai, thank you. the u.s. has spent more than $400 billion on the afghan conflict so far. >>> two westbounds and counting. lawmakers are raising the debt ceiling, or the u.s. could default on its loans for the first time ever. danielle nottingham reports for weaj, from washington-- wjz from washington. >> reporter: one by one, senators are sounding off about the tea party backed debt plan called cut back and balance. >> that is what america wants and it's what washington needs. >> the proposal that is before us could turn a recession into a depression. >> i think it's a superior piece of legislation. it's not a serious proposal. >> reporter: the plan increases the debt limit, in exchange for billions of dollars in immediate spending cuts, limits on future spending, and a constitutional amendment, requiring a balanced federal budget. it passed the house earlier this week, but it doesn't have a chance of passing the democratic-controlled senate. >>